Buy a Bellyak, help a wounded veteran

One of the most uplifting programs I have ever written about here in Asheville is Team River Runner.

The nonprofit was founded in 2004 at Walter Reed Medical Center, and works with wounded veterans to get them up, active, healthy and confident again through paddle sports. We have a local chapter here in Asheville with volunteer instructors.

The program believes that every wounded and disabled veteran deserves the opportunity to embrace new challenges. They believe the struggle of physical and emotional recovery needs to be supplemented with activities that spark competitiveness, invoke leadership, and promote camaraderie.

Team River Runner provides an outlet to fulfill these beliefs – inviting wounded and disabled war veterans and their families to participate in adaptive paddling programs.

TRR now offers weekly paddling sessions in 45 locations nationally and locally. Programs include biathlons in Washington, D.C. and Colorado, a Kayak Football Tournament at Walter Reed, and many other activities and events.

They’ve placed an increasing emphasis on the development of leadership skills for our participants and host leadership clinics around the nation. Veterans learn the skills to become leaders of their TRR chapter.

More than just an adaptive sports program, Team River Runner provides hope and healing to those who have risked so much, for so little in return. It’s an opportunity to enjoy nature and realize its social, physical, and emotional benefits, whether it’s tackling whitewater rapids or paddling on peaceful flat-water.

To help with the goals of TRR, Asheville-based company Bellyak will donate proceeds to the cause.

From now through June 15, for every boat purchased through a retailer or www.bellyak.com, a portion of the proceeds will be used to provide bellyaks for Team River Runner.

“Seeing the positive changes the Bellyak has provided people with disabilities has been a highlight of our business. Due to the lay on top, intuitive design of the Bellyak, people with disabilities have been able to enjoy watersports with minimal adaptation required, giving them mobility and exercise in an easy to use format,” said Adam Masters of Bellyak.

“With our customers and retailers support, we will supply 14 chapters with two Bellyaks each over the next month.”

Longer than a riverboard, more stout than a surfboard and shapelier than a standard SUP, a Bellyak is a boat designed to be ridden lying down, without restricting straps or a confining spray skirt. Bellyak’s innovative design lets people of many different skill levels and physical abilities enjoy the water.